Cable sealing device

ABSTRACT

A cable sealing device for sealing a cable passing through a first and second surface is provided. In one embodiment, the cable sealing device can include a first sealing element extending in a first radial direction of the cable and configured to surround at least a portion of the cable and to seal an opening in the first surface, and a second sealing element extending in a second radial direction of the cable and configured to surround at least a portion of the cable and to seal an opening in the second surface. The extension of the first sealing element in the first radial direction is smaller than the extension of the second sealing element in the second radial direction.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a national stage application under 35 U.S.C. §371(c) ofprior-filed, co-pending PCT patent application serial numberPCT/EP2010/051308, filed on Feb. 3, 2010, the entire contents of whichis incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a cable sealing devicefor sealing a cable passing through a first and second surface.

When passing a cable through a first and a second surface, the criteriaof sealing that cable in relation to said two surfaces naturally differdepending of the environmental circumstances. If the surfaces are partof an arrangement handling an inflammable substance, such as a fueldispensing unit, the criteria of the sealing is high.

It is well-known that fuel, such as petrol or diesel, is a highlyinflammable substance that must be handled with extreme care. Aninherent property of fuel, that increases the risks of its handling, isits high volatility. For the above reasons, safety standards such as theUL standards for safety in North America and the ATEX directive havebeen created for fuel handling in order to reduce the thereby inducedrisks.

Fuel dispensing units generally comprise electronics in order for theuser to be able to control the hydraulics of the fuel dispensing unitand refuel e.g. a vehicle. The electronics of the fuel dispensing unitcan provide an increased risk in that for instance sparks fromelectronic circuitry and/or heat radiated from the electronic wiring andcircuitry could ignite the fuel vapors. As a safety measure, thehydraulics and the electronics of a fuel dispensing unit are located inseparate compartments or modules. However, in order to make the fueldispensing unit operational it is necessary to pull cables between thehydraulics compartment and the electronics compartment, thereby riskleading inflammable substance from the hydraulic compartment up and intothe electronics compartment. Accordingly, a reliable sealing of a cablepassing between these compartments is crucial.

There is a number of different solutions for sealing a cable availableon the market today. The technique used today is based on mounting thesealing device after the cable has been positioned. The cable to besealed must be pulled through the surfaces in question before a gasketand some kind of sealing element is provided for each surface passed bythe cable. A problem with sealing devices for cables according to thistechnique and other prior art is the vast amount of parts involved aswell as the mounting of the same. This procedure is both troublesome andtime consuming.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide an improvement of the abovetechnique and prior art. More particularly, an embodiment of the presentinvention provides an improved cable sealing device containing adecreased amount of parts and contributing to a simplified mounting ofthe same. Further, an embodiment of the present invention provides anelectronics module for a fuel dispensing unit, a fuel dispensing unitand a method for sealing an opening in a first surface and an opening ina second surface.

These and other objects as well as advantages that will be apparent fromthe following description of the present invention are achieved by acable sealing device for sealing a cable passing through a first andsecond surface according to embodiments of the present invention.

According to an embodiment a cable sealing device for sealing a cablepassing through a first and second surface is provided. The cablesealing device comprises a first sealing element extending in a firstradial direction of the cable and configured to surround at least aportion of the cable and to seal an opening in the first surface, and asecond sealing element extending in a second radial direction of thecable and configured to surround at least a portion of the cable and toseal an opening in the second surface. The extension of the firstsealing element in the first radial direction is smaller than theextension of the second sealing element in the second radial direction.This is advantageous in that the cable sealing device is constituted bya small number of parts and the mounting of the same is simplified inrelation to prior art. Since the extension of the first sealing elementin the first radial direction is smaller than the extension of thesecond sealing element in the second radial direction, the cable sealingdevice may be provided on the cable before it is passed through thesurfaces to be sealed. Thus, the cable is automatically sealed when thefirst and second sealing element reaches the first and second surface,thereby simplifying the mounting to a great extent. In view of theabove, the costs for manufacturing and mounting of the cable sealingdevice are decreased.

The first sealing element and second sealing element may be integrallyformed, which is advantageous in that is decreases the amount of partseven further.

The extension of the first sealing element and the second sealingelement may have the same length in all radial directions of the cable,thereby centering the cable in each sealing element. However, the lengthof the extension of the first sealing element and the length of theextension of the second sealing element differ due to different radii ofthe two sealing elements.

The cable sealing device may be attached to the cable to be sealed,which is advantageous in that the cable can be manufactured anddistributed already provided with the cable sealing device. The mountingof the cable and the cable sealing device is thus further facilitated.

The second sealing element may have a flange adapted to fit into acorresponding recess of the opening to be sealed for retaining thesecond sealing element at said opening, which is advantageous in that atight sealing will be ensured. Also, this way the amount of parts of thecable sealing device is kept down since no further locking device forthe second sealing device will be needed.

The cable sealing device may further comprise a locking device forlocking the first sealing element in the opening to be sealed, which isadvantageous in that a tight sealing will be ensured.

The first sealing element and said second sealing element each maycomprise a gasket for tight sealing against the openings to be sealed,which is advantageous in that a tight sealing will be ensured.

The first sealing element and the second sealing element may be spacedapart such that a space may be allowed between the first and secondsurface when the first sealing element seals the opening in the firstsurface and the second sealing element seals the opening in the secondsurface. If a cable is drawn from a compartment potentially containingan inflammable substance, such as a hydraulics compartment of a fueldispensing unit, to another compartment, such as an electronicscompartment of a fuel dispensing unit, there is a risk that the cablewill bring about the inflammable substance and thus potentially increasethe risk of explosion. When the cable runs through the space formedbetween the first and second surface, it is ventilated such that anyinflammable substance which may have left the hydraulics compartmentalong the cable is neutralized.

According to an aspect of the invention, an electronics module for afuel dispensing unit, is provided. The electronics module comprising afirst compartment having a first opening, a second compartment having asecond opening, a cable extending between the first and the secondcompartment through the first and the second opening, a cable sealingdevice configured to seal the first opening in the first surface and thesecond opening in the second surface. The cable sealing devicecomprises: a first sealing element extending in a first radial directionof the cable and configured to surround at least a portion of the cableand to seal an opening in the first surface; and a second sealingelement extending in a second radial direction of the cable andconfigured to surround at least a portion of the cable and to seal anopening in the second surface, wherein the extension of the firstsealing element in the first radial direction is smaller than theextension of the second sealing element in the second radial direction.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a fuel dispensing unit forrefueling motor vehicles is provided. The fuel dispensing unit comprisesa cable sealing device comprising: a first sealing element extending ina first radial direction of the cable and configured to surround atleast a portion of the cable and to seal an opening in the firstsurface; and a second sealing element extending in a second radialdirection of the cable and configured to surround at least a portion ofthe cable and to seal an opening in the second surface, wherein theextension of the first sealing element in the first radial direction issmaller than the extension of the second sealing element in the secondradial direction.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the invention relatesto a method for sealing an opening in a first surface and an opening ina second surface. The method comprises providing a cable with a sealingdevice comprising: a first sealing element extending in a first radialdirection of the cable and configured to surround at least a portion ofthe cable and to seal an opening in the first surface; and a secondsealing element extending in a second radial direction of the cable andconfigured to surround at least a portion of the cable and to seal anopening in the second surface, wherein the extension of the firstsealing element in the first radial direction is smaller than theextension of the second sealing element in the second radial direction;and wherein the first sealing element seals the opening in the firstsurface and the second sealing element seals the opening in the secondsurface.

According to another embodiment a fuel dispensing unit for refuelingmotor vehicles is provided. The fuel dispensing unit comprises anelectronics module comprising: a first compartment having a firstopening in a first surface; a second compartment having a second openingin a second surface; a cable extending between the first and the secondcompartment through the first and second opening; and a cable sealingdevice. The cable sealing device comprising: a first sealing elementextending in a first radial direction of the cable and configured tosurround at least a portion of the cable and to seal an opening in thefirst surface; and a second sealing element extending in a second radialdirection of the cable and configured to surround at least a portion ofthe cable and to seal an opening in the second surface, wherein theextension of the first sealing element in the first radial direction issmaller than the extension of the second sealing element in the secondradial direction.

Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted accordingto their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitlydefined otherwise herein. All references to “a/an/the” are to beinterpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of saidelement, device, component, means, etc., unless explicitly statedotherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of thepresent invention, will be better understood through the followingillustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferredembodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appendeddrawings, where the same reference numerals will be used for similarelements, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cable sealing device according to anaspect of the invention when unassembled;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cable sealing device when assembledand sealing against a first and a second surface; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a fuel dispensing unit comprising anelectronics module having a plurality of cable sealing devices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a cable sealing device 1 according to one embodimentof the present invention when unassembled. The cable sealing device 1 isadapted to seal a cable 2 passing through a first surface 3 and a secondsurface 4, preferably in an electronics module of a fuel dispensingunit. The cable sealing device 1 has a first sealing element 5 extendingin a first radial direction R₁ of the cable 2 surrounding the cable 2,and is adapted to seal an opening 6 in the first surface 3. The cablesealing device 1 further has a second sealing element 7 extending in asecond radial direction R₂ of the cable 2 surrounding the cable 2, andis adapted to seal an opening 8 in the second surface 4. According to analternative embodiment of the present invention the first 5 and second 7sealing elements need not entirely surround the cable 2. That is,depending on specific sealing requirements the sealing elements 5, 7 maypartially surround the cable so as to allow openings in the sealingelements 5, 7. This alternative embodiment may be advantageous when aless strict sealing is called for, e.g. when sealing different portionsof the electronics module, wherein the openings in the sealing elementsmay comprise dust filters allowing air, but not dust, to flow betweendifferent portions of the electronics module. The extension E₁ of thefirst sealing element 5 in the first radial direction R₁ is smaller thanthe extension E₂ of the second sealing element 7 in the second radialdirection R₂. The first sealing element 5 is preferably integrallyformed and the extension E₁ preferably has the same length in all radialdirections of the cable 2. The second sealing element 7 is preferablyalso integrally formed and the extension E₂ preferably has the samelength in all radial directions of the cable 2. In order to facilitateassembling and sealing of the cable 2, the cable sealing device 1 isattached to the cable 2 to be sealed upon delivery. That is to say, whenthe cable 2 is distributed, it is already provided with the cablesealing device 1. The second sealing element 7 has two flanges 9 adaptedto fit into corresponding recesses 10 of the opening 8 to be sealed forretaining the second sealing element 7 at the opening 8. The two flanges9 are guided through the corresponding recesses 10, after which thesecond sealing element 7 is rotated in relation to the second surface 4,such that the second sealing element 7 is locked against the secondsurface 4. The cable sealing device 1 has a locking device 11 forlocking the first sealing element 5 in the opening 6 to be sealed. Thelocking device 11 has two flanges adapted to fit into correspondingrecesses provided in the first sealing element 5 for retaining the firstsealing element 5 at the opening 6. The two flanges of the lockingdevice are guided through the corresponding recesses of the firstsealing element 5, after which the locking device 11 is rotated inrelation to the first sealing element 5, such that the first sealingelement 5 is locked against the second surface 4 by means of the lockingdevice 11. The first sealing element 5 and the second sealing element 7each comprises a gasket 12, 13 for tight sealing against the openings 6,8 to be sealed in the first and second surface 3, 4. The first sealingelement 5 and the second sealing element 7 are spaced apart such that aspace S is allowed between the first and second surface 3, 4 when thefirst sealing element 5 seals the opening 6 in the first surface 3 andthe second sealing element 7 seals the opening 8 in the second surface4.

In FIG. 2, the cable sealing device 1 is illustrated when assembled. Thegasket 12 of the first sealing member 5 abuts against the underside ofthe first surface 3 and the locking device 11 abuts against the upperside of the first surface 3, thereby sealing the opening 6. The gasket13 of the second sealing member 7 abuts against the underside of thesecond surface 4 and the flanges 9 abuts against the upper side of thesecond surface 4, thereby sealing the opening 8.

FIG. 3 illustrates an electronics module 14 provided in a fueldispensing unit 15. The electronics module 14 has a first compartment 16having a plurality of first openings 6 in the first surface 3, and asecond compartment 17 having a plurality of second openings 8 in thesecond surface 4. Each first and second opening 6, 8 is sealed by meansof a cable sealing device 1 attached to each cable 2 extending betweenthe first and the second compartment 16, 17 through said first andsecond opening 6, 8.

When a cable is drawn from one compartment to another, the need forproper sealing depends on the environmental circumstances. If a cablefor example is to be pulled from the hydraulics compartment up and intothe electronics compartment of a fuel dispensing unit, there is a riskof bringing inflammable substances into the electronics compartment andthus increasing the risk of explosion. Accordingly, the requirementsregarding that type of sealing are high. The requirements may be loweredby letting the cable extend through an air gap between the compartmentsthrough which it is drawn. That is to say, it is preferred if the cableextend from a first compartment, i.e. the hydraulics compartment of afuel dispensing unit, through an air gap where the cable is subjected toventilation by air and up and into a second compartment, i.e. theelectronics compartment of a fuel dispensing unit. As mentioned above,according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cablesealing device is attached to the cable before being assembled. Thecable carrying the cable sealing device is drawn from a first opening ina first surface in a first compartment up and into a second opening in asecond surface in a second compartment. The first sealing element of thecable sealing device will seal the first opening in the first surfaceand the second sealing element will seal the second opening in thesecond surface, and at the same time create an air gap for the cablebetween the two compartments. The first sealing device is tightly lockedagainst the first opening by means of a locking device. The secondsealing device is tightly locked against the second opening by means oftwo flanges passed through a corresponding recess of the opening.

According to an embodiment of the invention an electronics module for afuel dispensing unit is provided, comprising a cable sealing deviceaccording to the features above.

According to an embodiment of the invention a fuel dispensing unit forrefueling motor vehicles is provided, comprising an electronics moduleaccording to the feature above.

According to another embodiment of the invention a method for sealing anopening in a first surface and an opening in a second surface isprovided.

The cable sealing device according to embodiments of the presentinvention is constituted by a small number of parts and the mounting ofthe same is simplified in relation to prior art. Since the extension ofthe first sealing element in the first radial direction is smaller thanthe extension of the second sealing element in the second radialdirection, the cable sealing device may be provided on the cable beforeit is passed through the surfaces to be sealed. Thus, the cable isautomatically sealed when the first and second sealing element reachesthe first and second surface, thereby simplifying the mounting to agreat extent. In view of the above, the costs for manufacturing andmounting of the cable sealing device are decreased.

The first sealing element and second sealing element may be integrallyformed, which may decrease the amount of parts even further.

The extension of the first sealing element and the second sealingelement may have the same length in all radial directions of the cable,thereby centering the cable in each sealing element. However, the lengthof the extension of the first sealing element and the length of theextension of the second sealing element differ due to different radii ofthe two sealing elements.

The cable sealing device may be attached to the cable to be sealed,allowing the cable to be manufactured and distributed already providedwith the cable sealing device. The mounting of the cable and the cablesealing device is thus further facilitated.

The second sealing element may have a flange adapted to fit into acorresponding recess of the opening to be sealed for retaining thesecond sealing element at said opening, such that a tight sealing willbe ensured. Also, this way the amount of parts of the cable sealingdevice is kept down since no further locking device for the secondsealing device will be needed.

The cable sealing device may further comprise a locking device forlocking the first sealing element in the opening to be sealed, ensuringa tight sealing.

The first sealing element and said second sealing element each maycomprise a gasket for tight sealing against the openings to be sealed,which also ensures a tight sealing.

The first sealing element and the second sealing element may be spacedapart such that a space may be allowed between the first and secondsurface when the first sealing element seals the opening in the firstsurface and the second sealing element seals the opening in the secondsurface. If a cable is drawn from a compartment potentially containingan inflammable substance, such as a hydraulics compartment of a fueldispensing unit, to another compartment, such as an electronicscompartment of a fuel dispensing unit, there is a risk that the cablewill bring about the inflammable substance and thus potentially increasethe risk of explosion. When the cable runs through the space formedbetween the first and second surface, it is ventilated such that anyinflammable substance which may have left the hydraulics compartmentalong the cable is neutralized.

Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a fuel dispensingunit for refueling motor vehicles, comprising a cable sealing device oran electronics module according to the features above.

The invention has mainly been described above with reference to a fewembodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled inthe art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equallypossible within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appendedclaims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A cable sealing device for sealing a cablepassing through a first and second surface, the cable sealing devicecomprising: a first sealing element extending in a first radialdirection of the cable and configured to surround at least a portion ofthe cable and to seal an opening in the first surface; and a secondsealing element extending in a second radial direction of the cable andconfigured to surround at least a portion of the cable and to seal anopening in the second surface; and a locking device separate from thefirst and second sealing elements and configured to engage and lock thefirst sealing element such that the opening in the first surface ispositioned between the locking device and the first sealing element;wherein the extension of the first scaling element in the first radialdirection is smaller than the extension of the second sealing element inthe second radial direction.
 2. The cable sealing device according toclaim 1, wherein the first sealing element and the second sealingelement are integrally formed.
 3. The cable sealing device according toclaim 1, wherein the extension of the first sealing element has the samelength in all radial directions of the cable.
 4. The cable sealingdevice according to claim 1, wherein the extension-of the second sealingelement has the same length in all radial directions of the cable. 5.The cable sealing device according to claim 1, wherein the first andsecond sealing elements are attached to the cable to be sealed.
 6. Thecable sealing device according to claim 1, wherein the second sealingelement has a flange configured to fit into a corresponding recess ofthe opening in the second surface for retaining the second sealingelement at the opening in the second surface.
 7. The cable sealingdevice according to claim 1, wherein the first sealing element and thesecond sealing element each include a gasket for tight sealing againstthe openings in the first and second surface.
 8. The cable sealingdevice according to claim 1, wherein the first sealing element and thesecond sealing element are spaced apart such that a space may be allowedbetween the first and second surface when the first sealing elementseals the opening in the first surface and the second sealing elementseals the opening in the second surface.
 9. A cable sealing device,comprising: a cable; a first sealing element coupled to and surroundingat least a portion of the cable and having a first diameter, the firstsealing element having at least one recess formed therein and configuredto receive a flange on a locking device to lock the first sealingelement in sealing engagement with an opening in a first surface to besealed; and a second sealing element coupled to and surrounding at leasta portion of the cable and having a second diameter that is greater thanthe first diameter, the second sealing element being configured to sealan opening in a second surface space apart from the first surface.
 10. Amethod for sealing an opening in an electronics module, comprising:positioning a cable through a first opening in a first surface andthrough a second opening in a second surface spaced apart from the firstsurface, the cable having a first sealing element disposed therearoundand a second sealing element disposed therearound; positioning the firstsealing element adjacent to an underside of the first surface,positioning a locking device adjacent to an upper side of the firstsurface, and locking the first sealing element to the locking device toseal the first opening in the first surface; and positioning the secondsealing element adjacent to an underside of the second surface andlocking the second sealing element against the second surface to sealthe second opening.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the lockingdevice includes at least one flange that engages at least one recess inthe first sealing element to lock the first sealing element to thelocking device.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the locking deviceis rotated relative to the first sealing element to lock the firstsealing element to the locking device.
 13. The method of claim 10,wherein the first surface is located within a housing of a fueldispensing unit.